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Oldham Theatre Workshop is under serious threat.

According to details recently released on their website, Oldham Council is considering cutting its funding for OTW by a massive 46%. Such a severe cut would make it virtually impossible to continue its award-winning, nationally -renowned programme of work for young people of all social and ethnic backgrounds.

Oldham council currently makes an annual grant of £87k and they are proposing to slash this by £40k. A decision will be made at the beginning of December that could signal the end of this fantastic service just as it prepares to celebrate its 40th year.

Currently, 500 young people attend OTW every week gaining performance skills and, more importantly, social, creative, communication, education, community and personal skills a hugely wide-ranging service that is not on offer anywhere else in the borough. An unparalleled programme of workshops, performances, community and school outreach work has produced stars of Hollywood, television, theatre and opera but, just as importantly, has imbued generation after generation of young people with a self-confidence and self-worth that makes OTW the envy of every youth and theatre project in the country.

What council in its right mind would want to put such a service in danger?

For us thousands of parents, guardians, former and current members of Oldham Theatre Workshop it is impossible to put a price on the experience that being part of this very special community has afforded us. But Oldham Council has put a price on it. £40k is a lot of money certainly if we had to make up this shortfall ourselves in terms of fees, the vast majority of us would not be able to afford it, and Oldham Theatre Workshop would cease to exist.

We know the value of Oldham Theatre Workshop. We need to make sure that Oldham Council do as well. Please make a stand NOW by writing to...

Andrew Kilburn
Chief Executive
Oldham MBC
Civic Centre
West Street
Oldham
OL1 1UG
email: Andrew.Kilburn@oldham.gov.uk

John Bland Treasurer
Oldham MBC
Civic Centre
West Street
Oldham
OL1 1UG
email: John.Bland@oldham.gov.uk

Veronica Jackson
Director
Adult & Community Services
Oldham MBC
Civic Centre
West Street
Oldham
OL1 1UG
email: Veronica.Jackson@oldham.gov.uk

Clare Fish Assistant Director
Adult & Community Services
Oldham MBC
Civic Centre
West Street
Oldham
OL1 1UG
email: Clare.Fish@oldham.gov.uk

Sheena Macfarlane Head of Museums Libraries Galleries and Arts
Civic Centre
West Street
Oldham
OL1 1UG
email: Sheena.Macfarlane@oldham.gov.uk

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